Towbar plans?

Class III hitches use a lot stouter materials than your list contains.

Take a look at a commercially available hitch for ideas.

OK so how stout of a material does this thing need to be made out of?

I would assume that 2x2x1/4 would be overkill, but what would be acceptable?

I think 2x2 tube or 2 inch pipe, or larger, is probably about what the store bought hitches use.

You can see typical construction at any auto parts store or specific information in many parking lots. Go take a look.

Best person to ask in this group would be Nathan Collier. I put a ping in the subject so he should be along shortly.

14 gauge isnt nearly thick enough to provide adequate lateral support in the even of an emergency evasive manuever at highway speeds. you might be able to get away with 11 gauge, but since you share the roads with my wife and kids im not comfortable with that either. i would recommend 3/16" minimum with bracing.

thanks doug!

So what dimention tubing should I make it out of?

I think the maximum diameter that will go into the ball coupler is

2-1/2"

Nathan W. Collier wrote:

with a little lateral bracing i think the 1x2 would be just fine, if you can get it in 3/16". im sure 2x2 would be fine. i even see towbar setups made out of 2x2 3/16" angle iron. what do you have in mind for your connection point (which will be the weakest link anyway)?

I ended up making a "T" from 2"x2" 11ga and then placed some

2-1/2x2-1/2x 1/4 angle to connect the ends of the crosmember to the tubing right behind the coupler. Basically it formed a triangle with a piece of tubing right down the middle. It's pretty stout and probably weighs about 40 lbs., so I'm in business and towed a Volvo home the other day with it.

RoyJ wrote:

sweet! got pics?